Coat Colour Silver

Description

Silver coat colour, known as Silver Dapple, is a “dilution” or lightening of the black pigment in the horse’s hair, resulting in a silvery-grey or even white coat colour. It is a dominant trait, caused by a mutation to the PMEL gene, and it is found in multiple breeds. It should not be confused with G-Locus Grey, which causes gradual but permanent lightening of the horse’s coat.

Horses carrying the Silver mutation are also noted to be at risk for Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA, also known as Anterior Segment Dysgenesis and as Congenital Aniridia). MCOA can cause a range of eye defects.